The Thompsons Survivors Team is dedicated to helping you seek justice through the civil courts if you have suffered abuse, whether that's physical, mental, sexual abuse or neglect. Every member of the team is specially trained and we use a trauma-informed approach to communicate and support you.
The team is highly experienced and has represented claimants seeking justice against religious organisations, sports clubs, schools, children's homes, membership organisations, local authorities and individuals.
Contacting a solicitor to start a civil claim for abuse may be a very difficult step for you and we would like to reassure you that your claim, your privacy and, above all, your well-being is of paramount importance to us. If you decide to go ahead with a claim, and you will be under no-obligation to do so, our approach puts you at the centre of your case and we will only ever proceed if you are entirely happy.
The Survivors Team
Laura Connor – Partner and Head of the Survivors Team
I have the privilege of leading the Thompsons' Survivors Team in our work with survivors of historical abuse. My clients come from a variety of backgrounds and are survivors of abuse experienced in state care, private care, sports clubs and religious groups, to name just a few. Many have also suffered abuse in their own homes. The abuse varies in each case from physical, sexual to psychological abuse and neglect.
I have many years of experience in pursuing civil claims through our Scottish courts and CICA tribunals and am an Accredited Personal Injury Specialist Lawyer by the Law of Society of Scotland. I am now able to use my knowledge of the law and our legal system, coupled with my legal knowledge and litigation skills, to help survivors secure justice and support them in having their voices heard.
Along with my colleagues in the team, I have received specialist training to allow me to assist survivors in a trauma-informed way, an approach which is not widely familiar to lawyers. I work collaboratively with clients and provide trauma-informed approaches to the pursuance of civil claims.
Our team also works alongside Wellbeing Scotland to offer counselling support to any clients who wish to benefit from this.
Survivors’ claims for compensation will normally be dealt with through our civil court justice system or an application for compensation to the CICA (Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority).
I am a notary public and member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
Patrick McGuire – Partner & Solicitor Advocate
As Scotland's leading historical abuse solicitor, I am passionate about my role in the fight for survivor justice. I believe that survivors have been made to stay quiet for too long and now the law has changed survivors finally have a voice that cannot be ignored.
I believe, as a team of solicitors, we are here to provide a service which goes beyond financial redress – our role is to provide trauma support, to give power and to bring the survivors' messages to the fore.
As a country, Scotland must recognise the damage that was done and the abusers must be brought to account. We aim to provide action, recognition and acknowledgement for survivors who have been failed by the very people who were responsible for their care.
Hear Patrick speaking to Good Morning Scotland regarding Thompsons legal action against Celtic Football Club.
Shona Cocksedge - Solicitor
In October 2017 the Limitation (Child Abuse) (Scotland) Act 2017 came into force, allowing survivors of historical abuse to raise civil compensation claims. I joined the Survivors Team shortly after the law changed and have spent the past year meeting survivors and advancing claims on their behalf.
Having, previously held quite varied caseloads within Thompsons, where I completed my traineeship, I came to the team with both pre-litigation and litigation experience. I have since built on that experience and worked closely with my colleagues ever since to create a team we are all immensely proud of. The right of those affected by trauma and abuse to obtain access to justice is something I am passionate about and I look forward to continuing to act for my clients in seeking redress from those responsible.
Emma Wheelhouse – Solicitor
After working in a number of litigation firms, I joined Thompsons in January 2018 as part of the Mass Litigation team. I commenced my traineeship within the Survivors Team in August 2018.
I work as a part of a close-knit team which works exclusively on survivor cases dedicated to obtaining justice for our clients. We are pursuing cases from a wide variety of institutions across Scotland.
As a team, we work with Wellbeing Scotland, a counselling service that specialises in supporting survivors of historical abuse. Through working with Wellbeing Scotland, we are able to go one step further in ensuring that our clients are treated with care and compassion.
As part of the Take Justice campaign, I attend campaigning events to continue to raise awareness of historical child abuse and to encourage more survivors to come forward.
I am passionate and committed to ensuring that the needs of our clients are always met. I look forward to continuing to pursue justice for those that have been affected by childhood abuse.’
Stephanie Young - Solicitor
I began working for Thompsons Solicitors Scotland as a student and took my traineeship with the firm once I achieved my Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. I initially working within the Accident Team.
Having worked on a number of mass litigation court actions, in which I assisted groups of clients who had suffered injury to progress their cases through the courts, I have also worked with clients who were designated as core participants in a Public Inquiry in Scotland. Very specific rules apply in this type of hearing and I provided support and guidance for my clients, keeping them fully updated on the progression of the enquiry at all times.
As a specialist litigation solicitor, I am now working with the Survivors Team. I provide a compassionate, client-centred approach and am committed to securing justice for my clients who were abused while in a number of institutions across Scotland.
Talk to Thompsons, today
The Thompsons Survivors Team works closely with campaign groups and support charities to provide a holistic service to our clients. We are committed, dedicated and passionate about ensuring anyone who has been abused is able to receive the help and support, and ultimately the justice, they need.
From start to finish, we will put you at the centre of your compensation claim and we will always move forward at the pace which suits you. You can find out more about how we will work with you in your claim on our historic abuse claims process page.
You can talk to a member of the Thompsons team by calling 0800 0891 331. Alternatively, you could fill in a contact form so that we can call you back at a time to suit you – click on the 'Contact us' button below.
